Live from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this is the Raw Deal for episode #1035. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport.
The opening video tells us that The Rock and John Cena are both at Raw. It also focused on the storyline between The Undertaker and CM Punk.
The announcers for the show are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler. Cole announced the attendance with over 18,000 people in the building. Good job, Philly. Always one of the best wrestling crowds.
CM Punk and Paul Heyman walked down to the ring. Heyman had the urn with him. There’s a sign that says “The John Report” in row six.
Thanks to TJR reader Anthony Vee for that.
Punk talked about all of the beliefs people have about The Undertaker. He said that Undertaker went 20-0 at WrestleMania and it’s a hell of a legacy. He claims it should have ended there. Punk claimed that Undertaker pointed at his sign (the WrestleMania logo) and now his career at WrestleMania is being rewritten by him. When he called himself the “best in the world” some fans cheered. Not a lot, but some. Punk dropped the urn in the ring. He said it didn’t mean anything to him. Punk said that he’s going to break The Streak and mentioned how much Undertaker wants the urn. For the first time in his life, Undertaker is at a psychological disadvantage. If he faced anybody else he could be 30-0 or 50-0, but not against him. “I am CM Punk and there is nobody in the world better than me.” He said he’s going to make it 20-1. Punk said he was waiting for the lights to go out, but there was no Undertaker. He kneeled down with the urn and as he was saying Undertaker’s “rest in peace” line the lights went out.
When the lights came back on, Undertaker was in the ring in his gear. He destroyed Punk with a series of punches. Heyman grabbed the urn and ran away. Punk also left. Undertaker looks to be in pretty good shape for a guy that turned 48 years old this past Sunday. The crowd was really hot for his appearance and there was a nice “Undertaker” chant.
Analysis: That was a very strong opening segment. Punk did a great job of talking about Undertaker’s legacy, what it means and what he wants to do stop it. He talked about how having the urn makes Undertaker weak and gives him a psychological advantage. I think that’s a smart thing to say because it may make some things it’s true. I will pick Undertaker, but the doubt is definitely there a bit. Undertaker had a lot of energy. It was a brief physical encounter that saw Punk get no offense in. But it worked really well. Nice opening ten minutes to the show.
Later in the show it’s a Q&A with a Hall of Fame panel involving The Rock and John Cena.
Fandango’s in-ring “debut” is next.
(Commercial)
Fandango was in the ring. He was ready for a match. Just as we were about to see his opponent, Chris Jericho ran down to the ring and got into a brawl with him. Fandango escaped along with his ballroom dancing friend.
Analysis: So much for the Fandango debut. It’s likely that they’ll save his “first match” for WrestleMania, which is going to be against Jericho.
Dolph Ziggler (w/AJ Lee & Big E Langston) vs. Chris Jericho
The announcers said this was supposed to happen later, but they’re doing it now. You think I’m going to complain about these great performers in an “unplanned” match? No. Love these two. Jericho hit a cross body block off the top rope for a two count. They went to break one minute into the ring. Neither guy was out on the floor either. That’s rare.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Ziggler took control of the action. He hit a dropkick in the center of the ring. Abdominal stretch by Ziggler is broken by Jericho with a hiptoss. Jericho hit a couple of shoulderblocks and then a double axehandle off the top rope. Bulldog by Jericho. Big E Langston jumped on the apron, so Jericho hit his springboard dropkick. Ziggler capitalized with a leaping DDT for two. Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho and he did it Liontamer style. Ziggler tapped out after eight minutes.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Analysis: ** Too short for my liking. It was still good for the amount of time that they got, but when wrestlers are this good I like it when they get more time. It was a bit of a surprise that Ziggler would tap out that easily. Then again he’s been losing a lot lately. Jericho’s win was good for him because he needed it after losing to Swagger a couple of times the last few weeks. I love that old school Liontamer by Jericho. It’s too hard to do on the bigger guys, but he can do it on a guy that is Ziggler’s size.
Post match, Langston attacked Jericho from behind with a clothesline. Then he hit his finisher known as The Big Ending. Ziggler left with his friends.
Fandango made his way out with his ballroom dancing friend. They danced around Jericho’s fallen body. Then Fandango attacked Jericho a series of punches. Jericho tried a chop back, but Fandango kicked him in the head. The crowd was chanting “you can’t wrestle” at Fandango. He wanted Jericho to say his name. Fandango hit a top rope leg drop. That is likely his finishing move. Then he said his name to end the segment.
Analysis: Still no in-ring action by Fandango, but the beating was good in terms of getting him a lot of heat. The crowd will want to see him get his ass kicked at WrestleMania by Jericho. It worked in that respect.
Later it’s a “No Holds Barred” match preview for the Triple H/Brock Lesnar. Lesnar isn’t there this week.
(Commercial)
As we returned from break, there was a video from last week’s Smackdown when Randy Orton, Sheamus & Big Show worked together to prevent The Shield from attacking on Raw.
Sheamus was being interviewed by Matt Striker. Before he could really say anything, all three members of The Shield attacked him with kicks. Randy Orton showed up. He used a chair to try to break it up, but that didn’t really work. Big Show made the save. He threw all three members of The Shield out of there.
Analysis: I’m not sure if this means Big Show is turning face. But they are a cohesive unit right now.
Mark Henry walked down to the ring for a match. They went to break.
(Commercial)
Mark Henry vs. Jimmy & Jey Uso
It’s a handicap match. Usos each hit superkicks to Henry. Top rope splash got a two count. Shocking that Henry kicked out? No. Henry threw one of them off the apron and he went crashing into the security wall. Clothesline by Henry. World’s Strongest Slam by Henry wins the match after about one minute.
Winner: Mark Henry
Analysis: Predictable booking. Nothing wrong with it, though.
Post match, Henry brought the other Uso into the ring and gave him a World’s Strongest Slam too. Just for fun. “That’s what I do!” And another World’s Strongest Slam. Big splash on the other Uso brother. Cue the song: “Somebody gonna get they ass kicked…” and so on. Catchy tune.
In two weeks at WrestleMania it’s Mark Henry vs. Ryback. I’m picking Ryback. It will be a memorable moment if he can hit Shellshocked at WrestleMania.
(Commercial)
Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. Antonio Cesaro
Neither title is on the line. Ricardo Rodriguez was there to deliver the intro while on crutches because he was selling the broken ankle injury from last week. Cesaro got some brief offense, but then Del Rio made his comeback. That didn’t last long because Zeb Colter showed up on the ramp to distract Del Rio. Cesaro took over with an attack to the back. Del Rio made a comeback with a superplex while he was on the middle rope and Cesaro was on the top. Orton does it better. With both guys down in the ring, Jack Swagger showed up to attack Rodriguez. He grabbed his injured left foot and attacked it outside the ring. Del Rio went after Swagger to save his friend. Del Rio went into the crowd attacking Swagger. He got a side kick to the face. During all of that, Del Rio got counted out. It only went four minutes.
Winner via DQ: Antonio Cesaro
Post match, Del Rio went back into the ring and gave Cesaro a Cross Armbreaker. Cesaro tapped out, which didn’t matter since match was over. The crowd gave a quiet response to that. Not a big ovation for the babyface World Champion. Outside the ring, Ricardo was doing a good job of selling the pain of the attack.
Analysis: * Once again it was too short for my liking, but it was effective in terms of adding to the story between Del Rio and Swagger. Del Rio going back in the ring against Cesaro wasn’t much of a babyface move. Cesaro didn’t do anything wrong, but that’s typical of WWE booking where they want somebody to get their heat back even after the match is over. The build for Del Rio vs. Swagger is pretty average so far. It does not have a special feel to it. Also Cesaro is one of the worst booked characters in the last couple of months. No direction at all and he’s holding the US Title. Odd.
There was a replay of the CM Punk/Undertaker to start the show.
Daniel Bryan and Kane were walking backstage. They were on their way to the ring.
(Commercial)
The Rock won a Kid’s Choice Award for the “Best Butt Kicker” so they showed some photos of that as well as a tweet from Rock.
Daniel Bryan & Kane vs. The Prime Time Players (Titus O’Neil & Darren Young)
How many times have we seen this match? This is non-title, of course. Bryan hit a series of kicks on O’Neil. Dolph Ziggler, Big E Langston & AJ Lee stood together on the apron. That distracted Bryan, so Young hit a belly to belly suplex on Bryan. O’Neil gave Young a suplex that saw him land on top of Bryan. Kane got the tag and was unloading on Young with his usual offense including a clothesline in the corner followed by a big boot for a two count. Kane hit a sidewalk slam for two. Bryan hit the flaying knee onto O’Neil outside the ring. Kane hit Young with a Chokeslam for the win after four minutes.
Winners: Daniel Bryan & Kane
Analysis: * Short match that gives the tag champs the victory heading into their tag title match against Ziggler & Langston at WrestleMania. Nobody believed in the PTPers winning this match. As I say every week it’s typical booking to see the people featured heavily at WrestleMania to win matches on TV over ones that aren’t on the card. That’s what this was.
Later on the show we’ll see The Shield in a six man tag match. We’ll hear from Triple H next.
(Commercial)
We got the video package from last week’s Raw when the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar match became official.
Triple H made his entrance. He said that when you go into the ring with a guy like Lesnar your career could end at any time. That is a fact. Hunter said he had a 20 year career where he his life depended on his performance in the ring. He said if Paul Heyman thinks it’s personal because his career is on the line then he is mistaken. “Brock Lesnar, I have advice for you. Show up at WrestleMania like your career is on the line.” He said he’s not coming to WrestleMania to wrestle or fight…”I am coming to kick your ass!” Then he left the ring.
Before he could head up the ramp, Wade Barrett’s music started up. Is that Barrett disrespecting him or the guy that cues the music? You decide! Triple H kicked Barrett in the groin. Then he walked up the ramp while his music played and he stared at the WrestleMania sign some more. He didn’t even say “this business” once.
Analysis: That was a quick promo from Triple H to put over the match with Lesnar since Lesnar isn’t there. He has a lot of confidence going into the match, so that’s nice to see. Next week they will do a final segment to hype it up some more. As for the kick to Barrett’s balls, that was done to show how serious Hunter is going into WM29. And to bury Barrett a little bit, I guess. If you hate HHH you will overreact to it. If you’re like me and don’t care either way you just shrug your shoulders. No big deal. Perhaps that’s a future feud? Never know. I will pick Triple H to win at WM29. Lesnar should win. I just don’t think it’s happening.
(Commercial)
The Miz made his entrance. Oh no the feud between The Miz in a DVD film against Wade Barrett in a feature film that flopped is continuing. Last Monday, Barrett pinned Miz in the IC Title match. Then it continued on Main Event.
Wade Barrett vs. The Miz
Barrett was still selling the pain of getting hit in the balls. Miz gave him an atomic drop. Nothing says WrestleMania like shots to the balls, I guess. Fun for the whole family! Two more atomic drops by Miz. Barrett took control with a boot to the face of Miz. High knee by Barrett to the gut of Miz. Miz got a rollup for two followed by his backbreaker. Then he gave Barrett a back body drop over the top rope to the floor. Double axe off the apron by Miz onto Barrett on the floor. Miz got a cover for a two count. The show went to break with Miz in control in the ring.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Barrett took control of the action with a hard boot to the face that sent Miz to the floor. Barrett worked over the back of Miz. The Miz made a comeback with a forearm shot followed by a running knee. Corner clothesline by Miz. Double axe by Miz (second of the match) off the top got him a two count. Barrett hit the Winds of Change (Bossman Slam) for two. Miz came back with a dropkick to the knee. Barrett kicked Miz away when he went for the Figure Four Leglock. Barrett got a roll-up for two followed by a sidekick for two. Miz got a two count attempt and then Miz got crotched when he was going for a kick. Miz capitalized with a Figure Four Leg Lock for the submission victory after about ten minutes.
Winner: The Miz
Analysis: ** It seems like every week on Raw there’s a champion losing a non-title match on Raw. The crowd wasn’t into the whole match, but they did get into it by the end. Barrett took a lot of nut shots because that’s funny if you’re a 10 year old viewer. That’s the target demographic on a show that’s on this late at night on a school night. Miz winning likely sets up a IC Title match between the two. This feud doesn’t feel special at all. It’s just kind of there.
In the locker room, Kane & Daniel Bryan were talking in the locker room. They were arguing about AJ Lee. Kaitlyn showed up to complain about AJ Lee too. Then AJ showed up behind them without any of them knowing. Kaitlyn was insulting AJ without her knowing that she was there. She attacked Kaitlyn from behind and threw her into a water fountain. AJ threw Kaitlyn into a water fountain and followed up with a series of punches. Kane and Bryan pulled AJ off Kaitlyn.
Analysis: A Kaitlyn vs. AJ Lee feud makes a lot of sense. I’m not sure if it would happen at WrestleMania because the card seems full at this point. It’s possible, though.
The Shield in action next.
(Commercial)
The announcers plugged the “Superstars for Sandy Relief” involving WWE superstars and other celebrities. Go to Charitybuzz.com/wwe for more.
The Great Khali, Zack Ryder & Justin Gabriel were in the ring for a match. Khali was dancing (without my fave diva Natalya) while Justin & Zack were just kind of standing there. What an awkward team this is. I guess they all have losing matches in common.
The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns) vs. Zack Ryder, Justin Gabriel & The Great Khali
Rollins started with Ryder. Ryder had his “Push Me” tights on. He’s in a match at the top of the 10pmET hour, so that’s something right? Not really. Reigns hit a clothesline on Ryder. Of course he yelled before he did it. Gabriel tagged in and he took a clothesline to the back of the head by Ambrose. Rollins tagged in and delivered his flying knee drop to the head of Gabriel for the victory after about two minutes.
Winners: The Shield
Analysis: As I’ve said many times it’s another squash match on the road to WrestleMania.
After the match, Khali attacked. He didn’t even tag into the match, which is probably a good idea. All three Shield guys took him down. Then they picked Khali up and put him on Reigns shoulders as they delivered the three man Powerbomb. That was impressive. All Khali is good for is taking finishing moves of heels.
Sheamus and Randy Orton entered down the ramp. Big Show entered through the crowd. They slowly went into the ring so it was a six man brawl in the ring much to the delight of the audience. Orton threw out Reigns, Sheamus threw out Reigns and Show gave Rollins a back body drop. The Shield pulled Rollins out of the ring as they retreated. Lawler said we’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time. It’s not like this is the first three man group to go after The Shield and just as I wrote that I saw “The John Report” sign again. Love it.
Analysis: The reaction of Big Show in that segment would suggest that he might be a full fledged babyface going forward. Time will tell on that. I liked the three on three brawl with the faces showing unity. My prediction for that match is that The Shield will win due to Orton losing trust in Sheamus and eventually turning heel or perhaps going heel there. But I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to go.
We saw a video of Jericho getting attacked by Fandango earlier. Jericho got out of Vickie Guerrero’s offense and he was interviewed by Josh Mathews. Jericho had a black eye under his left eye. He said that Fandango has attacked him twice because he has a bullseye. Jericho announced that his match with Fandango at WrestleMania is official.
Analysis: That confirms the report that was in the Wrestling Observer two weeks ago before they had any interaction on television. I’m surprised that Jericho came back to feud with Fandango. I’d imagine Jericho will put him over because that’s what he does.
Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes appeared at the top of the ramp. Sandow introduced the Bella Twins. One has a boob job. The other doesn’t. The men are in a tag match against Brodus Clay & Sweet T.
(Commercial)
Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes (w/Brie & Nikki Bella) vs. Brodus Clay & Sweet T (w/Naomi & Cameron)
I guess we have to call him Sweet T regularly. No relation to Booker T, just so you know. Rhodes hit a neckbreaker on T. The heels tried to focus the attack on Sweet T, but it didn’t last very long. T hit a right hand to the jaw of Rhodes. Hot tag to Clay to no reaction. Overhead suplex by Clay on Rhodes followed by a corner splash. The four girls started brawling on the floor. Sandow choked Clay across the top rope and that allowed Rhodes to hit a Disaster Kick to win the match after three minutes.
Winners: Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes
Analysis: Short match. The crowd didn’t care. This feud isn’t very interesting. The rumor is that they are going to have an eight person tag at WrestleMania with the girls involved. That’s a bathroom break match at WrestleMania. It’s going to be a long show. Use that match to take a break.
There was a clip from GI Joe Retaliation starring The Rock. The movie comes out on Thursday.
Ryback was walking backstage.
(Commercial)
3MB was in the ring to lose like they always do.
Ryback vs. 3MB (Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal)
Ryback destroyed Slater early by ramming his head into the mat. Then he knocked Slater off the apron and gave Mahal a clothesline. McIntyre hit a nice kick to the head of Ryback. The heels made quick tags to try to get control of the action and it worked a bit. Mahal tagged in to deliver a high knee attack. Is he sucking up to Triple H? Good move. Slater missed a corner attack and Ryback threw Mahal into McIntyre to knock them outside the ring. Clothesline by Ryback to Slater and then a Spinebuster to Slater. Also a Spinebuster to Mahal. Ryback picked up Mahal and Slater for the double Shellshocked. Crowd popped big for that. Ryback covered for the win after four minutes.
Winner: Ryback
Analysis: * I thought it might go shorter than four minutes, but I guess when it’s a one on three match it needs to go a bit longer than that. That finishing sequence by Ryback was impressive. Like I said the crowd popped big for it. The crowd gets behind Ryback for his signature spots. At other points they’re dead for his matches.
Announced for Smackdown it’s a Weightlifting Competition between Ryback and Mark Henry.
We got a video recap of Jack Swagger’s attack on Ricardo Rodriguez last week and also this week as well.
AJ Lee was shown walking backstage. She’s in a match with Kaitlyn up next.
(Commercial)
It was announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger is inducting Bruno Sammartino in the Hall of Fame. I wonder how many divas Arnold is going to hit on? All of them. That’s the correct answer.
AJ Lee vs. Kaitlyn
Another champion in a non-title match as Divas Champion Kaitlyn takes on AJ. Kaitlyn has new theme music. It sounds worse than the old one. The story is they used to be best friends, but they aren’t anymore. That’s a fresh wrestling feud isn’t it? Kaitlyn whipped AJ hard into the turnbuckles a few times. Kaitlyn knocked down AJ with a shoulderblock. Gutbuster by Kaitlyn. AJ rolled outside the ring. Kaitlyn went for a Spear outside the ring, but AJ moved and Kaitlyn went face first into the security wall outside the ring. Kaitlyn couldn’t get back in the ring, so AJ wins by countout. The match went about two minutes.
Winner: AJ Lee via countout
Analysis: Like I said earlier it’s typical to see a champion lose a non-title match. Now it appears likely that they’ll do this match for the Divas Title at WrestleMania. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a title change. Kaitlyn isn’t connecting with the audience very well. It doesn’t help that she has barely had a storyline as champion. At least AJ has a character as a crazy chick. I will give Kaitlyn credit for the bump she took into the security wall. She did a good job of selling that.
They plugged the WWE ’13 game and showed The Rock vs. John Cena. Guess what? It was the setting of last year’s WrestleMania with the STUPID palm trees in the corner that blocked my view last year. I hated those damn things. Up next are John Cena and The Rock along with some all-time greats.
(Commercial)
Cole mentioned that Big Show, Randy Orton & Sheamus vs. The Shield is official for WrestleMania. Of course it is.
Jerry Lawler was in the ring to moderate a Q&A session featuring some WWE legends. The first person is 2013 WWE Hall of Famer and Smackdown GM Booker T. There was also Mick Foley, Dusty Rhodes and my favorite of the group Bret Hart. Nice reactions for all four guys. Rock and Cena come out after the break.
(Commercial)
The Rock made his entrance to a very nice ovation. He greeted the legends that are a part of the panel in this Q&A. Ric Flair was supposed to be there, but got sent home due to the blood clot issue with his leg. I believe they used Booker T. as his replacement. John Cena made his entrance to a bit of a mixed reaction, but it was mostly cheers.
Rock & Cena were standing behind podiums on opposite sides of the ring while the four panelists sat behind a table.
Q&A with The Rock and John Cena
Foley said he felt bad because he teamed with Rock at WM20 and he got pinned, so he felt glad when Rock beat Cena last year. He asked Cena what it would feel like if he lost at this year’s WrestleMania too. Cena said if he wins he gets the WWE Champion and redemption. Last year he didn’t think he could lose. Cena brought up the name Donovan McNabb as most of the Philly crowd booed. Former NFL QB of the Philadelphia Eagles. Cena said McNabb’s the best QB that has played for the Eagles and he pointed out the crowd booed because McNabb couldn’t win the Super Bowl. He said Philly deserves somebody that can win the big one just like the WWE Universe. Cena said if he loses on April 7th he’ll carry the legacy of McNabb. That doesn’t work because he’s held the WWE Title ten times. Whoever wrote that promo could have used a better analogy. McNabb couldn’t “win the big one.” Cena has won it ten times. It didn’t work.
The Rock said that when he was 22 years old he didn’t have any money. A year later he debuted in WWE, then six months later the crowd didn’t like him and then he worked his ass off. He came back. Rock said he asked them to give him a microphone. Then he mentioned Philadelphia and did his “finally” routine where he mentions the city. He talked about being the youngest WWE Champion (not anymore) and losing to Steve Austin at WrestleMania 15. He kept on talking about how those failures led him to become the man he is today. Great intensity by Rock in that promo. The crowd got behind him.
Bret Hart was next. He mentioned there was a lot of bad blood last year with Rock and Cena similar to Hart vs. Shawn Michaels. Bret wondered if anything changed since then. Rock said he respected Cena for how reacted last year. Cena said they’ve raised the ante from last year because the WWE Title is on the line and he respects Rock even though they’re not friends.
Booker T was next. He said he was the only one there that has been in the ring with Cena and Rock. Booker asked Cena why he’s going to beat Rock at WrestleMania. Cena: “Because I have to. That’s it. Because I have to.” He looked very serious. Rock responded wondered why he would give such a weak answer. Rock wanted to know the truth. Cena said that Rock didn’t him – Cena beat himself. He talked about how Rock is the only person that has ever clouded his judgment to make a stupid decision. Cena talked about how he had Rock beat, but then he made the mistake of trying the People’s Elbow. That’s when Rock countered to win the match. Cena said it’s never going to happen again. He showed a lot of fire as he said he knows that he is better than The Rock. He claimed that The Rock knows that Cena is better than The Rock. Rock said he kicked out of the AA and left him speechless. Rock brought up a Ric Flair line: “To be the man…woo…you gotta beat the man.” He said that Cena can’t beat the man. Rock said that John Cena will never (and The Rock means ever) be the man.
Dusty Rhodes wanted them to take the gloves off. He said it’s about winning and losing. Rhodes asked them what they really wanted on April 7. Cena said he wants to win the big one. He said he wants to dominate The Rock. What he wants is to prove to The Rock that he belongs. He wants Rock to realize that he (Cena) is better than Rock. He wants to give Rock a loss so devastating that it haunts him the rest of his life.
Rock wondered what Cena was talking about. The day after WrestleMania he’s still going to be WWE Champion while Cena will be stuffing his face with Fruity Pebbles. He told Cena that if he wants to prove Rock wrong at WrestleMania then he should do it. He also wanted Cena to prove him wrong right now. They went face to face. They had a very brief showdown that ended with Rock countering the Attitude Adjustment and hitting the Rock Bottom to “win” that battle.
Rock went up the ramp with his WWE Title. The show ended there at 11:20pmET as Cena looked at the WWE Champion.
Analysis: The concept with the legends asking the questions was a nice idea, but in terms of execution it was pretty average. However, I liked what both guys said. If I had to say somebody “won” the promo I would give more credit to Rock although I think that’s how it was designed with the idea that Cena was supposed to be vulnerable.
To those wanting Cena to turn heel, he said something similar to Steve Austin in 2001 prior to WMX7 when he turned heel. He said he “needs” to win the match. I’m not saying he will turn heel. It’s just that I thought of that as soon as I heard it.
Whoever wrote Cena’s promo did an awful job with the McNabb analogy. That was brutal.
Three Stars of the Show
1. Chris Jericho
2. The Rock
3. CM Punk
The Scoreboard
5.5 out of 10
Last week: 4
2013 Average: 5.25
2013 High: 7.5 (February 25)
2013 Low: 3.5 (January 28)
Last 5 Weeks: 4, 4, 4.5, 7.5, 4.5
Final Thoughts
It was a bit better than the last few weeks as evidenced by that 5.5 rating, which is better than the last three weeks. However, it’s sad that Raw is 3 hours and 20 minutes, yet they can barely put on matches that go longer than ten minutes. I realize they had to set up matches for WrestleMania. I just don’t think squash match after squash match is compelling.
Regarding the length of the show, it’s too damn long. I just wrote 5,000 words typing about it. If I was writing live I would have tuned out at points because it was so predictable and basic in what they were trying to do.
The promos were strong this week. That’s what carried the show. Other than that it was a lot of the same things we’ve seen in the last month.
I miss when Raw was two hours long. I really do.
Thanks again to Anthony Vee for the TJR sign. Click here to view a gallery of TJR signs over the last few years.
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We’ll bring it home with some plugs.
TJR Radio episode #26 was last week. We had former 20 year WWE referee Jimmy Korderas join us to talk about his new book “The Three Count: My Life in Stripes as a WWE Referee” that comes out on April 1. We talked Attitude Era, Andre the Giant and had a lot of laughs with Jimmy for over an hour. You can get it on iTunes as well.
My good friend Brandon Stroud of the fantastic website With Leather wrote a movie called Meet Me There. It’s a horror film with a great story. The star of the film is former WWE Superstar Goldust (Dustin Rhodes). They’ve set up an Indiegogo page where you can help the film get produced and there are a lot of cool rewards if you do. It will be a lot of fun to see the finished product, but they need some help to get there.
Finally, if you were a part of the TJR Writer Search I thank you for participating. Got over 130 people sending columns in. The deadline was Sunday night, so you’re too late now. I’ll probably have some kind of announcement about the seven chosen writers by Thursday this week, so check TJRWrestling.com for that and all of our wonderful columns.
Until next time, thanks for reading.
John Canton – [email protected]
TJRWrestling.com and TJRSports.com
Twitter @johnreport
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